The appeal of arthouse cinema

Final reading: Media Magazine - the appeal of arthouse cinema

Complete the following tasks to improve your understanding of arthouse film and the possible audience pleasures that the genre offers:

Read Beyond Hollywood: Reading Arthouse Cinema. This is in MM45 on page 24 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. 

1) Summarise the article in 50 words.

Hollywood dominates to such an extent that American culture is the second culture of many Western countries. Art-house films are artistic rather than commercial in character. In other words, they are films that are purposely difficult to understand or read. People who are easily entertained by straightforward and easily understood films, are more likely not to enjoy Arthouse films.  The art cinema is less concerned with action than reaction; it is a cinema of psychological effects in search of their causes.

2) What are some of the suggested audience pleasures for arthouse film?

 The audience pleasures that the audience are most likely to receive are vicarious pleasure since art house movies are difficult to understand therefore being able to relate to the situation, your more likely to engage in the story line. Referring to User and Gratification, Surveillance may be adopted by the audience from art-house movies since the films are for educational purposes and therefore much harder to understand  
3) Why do some audiences struggle with arthouse film? Refer to some media theory here (there are some important media theories discussed in the article itself).

Referring to the article as evidence it says 'art-house is also characterised by ‘maximum ambiguity’, where a bizarre turn of events can only be ‘explained’ by characters’ subjectivity, rather than the world of the film'. This means that art house inhabit Prop's theory about certain characters in a story arc. Art house movies use characters to create the atmosphere rather than the props used or setting.

4) To what extent is arthouse film only for the middle classes and older audiences? Why might this be the case?

The younger generation are more engaged in movies that are straightforward and action packed. Whereas, the older generation are intrigued by movies that have deeper meaning to the narrative and films that have many plots. Normally posh and highly valued British movies that have a lot of dialogue in their movie, reinforce an arthouse film. Mostly middle class would enjoy an art-house movie because it includes highly sophisticated language which a working class person wouldn't be educated enough to understand.

5) What type of audience would be interested in Chicken?

The target audience that would be interested in watching chicken would 30 year old to people who have retired. Audience who have fully experienced the whole world and who are educated are most likely to be interested in watching the movie chicken.